Big brands spend over £100 million using UK music

2012 was a record year for companies spending money on music use at festivals, online and in adverts

Photo: PA

Big brands spend over £100m on using UK music in 2012, according to figures.

The statistics, published by PRS for Music and entertainment strategists FRUKT, show that the spend by companies such as Coca Cola, O2, Volkswagon and Blackberry on using music at festivals, online and in endorsements reached £104.8m last year - an increase of 6.09 per cent from 2011.

Live music sponsorship spend reached over £33m, which included campaigns such as Rihanna's 777 tour with Budweiser and Coca Cola's Olympic torch relay, where 66 gigs were put on around the UK.
Artist sponsorship deals, such as Emeli Sande's with Mastercard for the Brit Awards, contributed to a 33 per cent increase in brand spend on UK music.

Meanwhile, digital spend on music, in campaigns with Spotify, YouTube and events that offered fans access to artists via social media meant digital spend on music reached £10.4 million.

Robert Ashcroft, Chief Executive PRS for Music, said: "Historically, sport was where big brands put their money, but the last 12 months have demonstrated the unique power of music to convey brand value and how the right partnership can benefit music lover, songwriter and business alike.”